Forward Madison suffered their first loss in USL League One of 2026 last weekend in Omaha, NE. A crowd of just over 1,500 came out on the Nebraska spring day to watch the Owls face the Flamingos. That Saturday afternoon ended up being good for the hosts and not the visitors, playing just their third game.
“It was a tough afternoon for us,” said Forward Madison FC manager, Matt Glaeser. “I thought we deserved a point. The guys worked hard and the non-negotiables were there, but we know the quality must continue to improve.”
Late in the second half Madison defender Eddie Munjoma ran down and fouled Omaha's Dylan Borczak from behind near the top of the box. The referee immediately awarded Union Omaha a penalty, that was promtly converted by Pato Faz. Faz's spot kick ended up being the only goal of the evening with Omaha winning in their first of three meetings in 2026.
Following the loss in Omaha just over a week ago it was off to Paterson, NJ for a matchup with Version 3 of the New York Cosmos. The Cosmos entered Sunday afternoon's match at 2-0-3 (W-D-L) with 6 points on the season.
Things started off well for Forward Madison when Geni Kanyane scored an Olimpico in the 22nd minute to send the 'Mingos flying. That flying start changed just ten minutes later when Kanyane was issued a straight red card for a DOGSO foul on New York's David Galazzini.
Even then the match didn't go the way Cosmos would have wanted as FMFC scored almost immediately after the red card. New York goalkeeper Tristan Stephani came far out of his goal, nearly to the endline and tried to send a pass that Madison's Ryan Carmichael intercepted. Carmichael took a few steps and lobbed a shot from 45 yards out handing Madison a 2-0 lead right before the half.
Madison then gets a red card and immediately turns the ensuing free kick into a comical break to go up 2-0. Weird game!
— John Morrissey (@usltactics.com) 2026-04-19T18:44:50.821Z
Forward Madison looked good, even down a man, heading into the second half of football. New York Cosmos got the better of the 'Mingos twice inside the opening five minutes of the second half. First was Phillip Spengler's goal in the 49th minute, then Sebastián Guenzatti's 50th minute match leveling strike.
Neither of the two sides were able to score in the final forty minutes of the second half, but for the Cosmos that was not for the lack of trying. New York peppered the Flamingos with 8 shots and held nearly 70% possession in the second half. Forward Madison withstood the second half barrage, holding out for a 2-2 draw.
Up next for the Flamingos is a trip to Lexington, KY for a showdown with USL Championship side Lexington SC in the USL Cup. Next Saturday's match in Kentucky begins USL Cup play for Forward Madison, who look to make a good showing in Group 4. Only the group winner is guaranteed to qualify for the eight team knockout round.
